Festival brings young musicians to WMU
Oct. 3, 2000
KALAMAZOO -- High school string players will gather on the campus of Western Michigan University on Tuesday, Oct. 10, for the 24th annual Western String Festival. The day's activities include a free public concert.
Thirteen southwest Michigan schools will participate in the day-long event, which will include rehearsals, sectionals, and clinic sessions conducted by WMU string faculty members Renata Artman Knific (violin), Igor Fedotov (viola), Bruce Uchimura (cello), and Thomas Knific (double bass), as well as University Symphony Orchestra conductor Bruce Uchimura and guest conductor Richard Piippo from Hope College.
The festival will close with a free public concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Miller Auditorium. The program will feature two high school Festival Orchestras (named in memory of former WMU orchestra conductors Julius Stulberg and Herbert Butler), the Festival Honors Orchestra, and the University Symphony Orchestra.
The Western String Festival is sponsored by the WMU School of Music.
Participating high schools
Battle Creek Central Delores Philp, director
Battle Creek Lakeview Tom Haupt, director
East Kentwood Anne Thompson and James Ross, directors
Greenville Susan Gould, director
Kalamazoo Central James Roach, director
Kalamazoo Loy Norrix James Roach, director
Marshall Jaime Danchik, director
Muskegon Mona Shores Tim Staudacher, director
Portage Central Mary Hinderliter, director
Portage Northern Courtney Snyder, director
South Haven Jessica Kotch, director
St. Joseph Steve Reed, director
Sturgis Eliot Gitelman, director
Media contact: Kevin West; 616 387-4678; kevin.west@wmich.edu